Editor,
I recently visited Revelstoke to see some friends. I came for a visit, from Kelowna B.C., once at the end of July and just recently this second weekend of September. I was in absolute shock to find that the City had painted very forbidding signs on the sidewalks. I am sure many know what I am speaking of, as I learned these signs have become quite the topic about town, and there is certainly evidence demonstrating the community is resisting the wisdom of these signs. When I first came to visit Revelstoke at the end of July, I felt I discovered a gem of a mountain community. The museum was celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, a roller derby event was being hosted that evening and downtown there was live street music. I felt the community was interesting and engaging! So for my return visit I was truly excited to come back to Revelstoke, the warm and creative community in the mountains! Put on the brakes, something has happened, hooligans have taken over and the city has been forced to paint the sidewalks. All of a sudden the city did not feel inviting or safe. I did not enjoy my stroll through the community and opted to enjoy the greenbelt.
I am sorry to see that the residents have to contend with poor decision making and consultation process of their city and council, that will most likely result in more tax dollars spent to remove a very glaring and unnecessary way to calm unwanted sidewalk traffic.
Sheila Lewis
Kelowna, B.C.